Not going to lie, that looks like a blast! Lol. Probably use snaffles because of all the contact? I'd say if the horses are performing good with it and that's the rules, so I wouldn't worry much. Every discipline is different, I've never seen an English rider with a spade bit lol, so if that's the rules, I'd just stick with a snaffle. You could maybe transition to a bosal or leverage for a different discipline, like just trail riding so you don't just have a finished horse riding in a snaffle. Around my area that's frowned upon, but if your horse works well in it, loves his job and doesnt give you trouble I honestly wouldn't worry about it. :)

I like a big, framey, horse that got a lot of depth and width to him with a good set of withers, big feet and decent bone. I don't really pay too much attention to the little technical things as far as confo goes, as long as their legs are straight, they are sound and I think they can handle work, that's all that really matters when I'm looking for a horse. As far as breeds go, quarter drafts are nice, of course I love a good foundation, or big boned QH, paints if they have decent feet. I typically stay away from gaited and Arabs. Arabs are just too small and gaited horses I can't stand to ride. As far as attitude goes, I want a colt that has some gas to him. I'd rather have a horse with too much go than too little. Lazy, deadheaded horses make getting work done really hard. I also like a horse that's just a tad bit spooky, or snorty. That means they are paying attention to what's going on. I find them a tad bit easier to train they tend to be a lot smarter. And a naturally cowy horse is fantastic. I wish every horse was that way, but unfortunately a lot aren't. It can be trained into them, it's a pain in the butt sometimes, but I don't just throw them away if they aren't naturally cowy. They learn, and they learn fast that the right way to work cow will end up in a whole lot less work for them. Hope this answers your questions! :)

Concerning the camp drafting and the use of snaffle bits in the rules it’s only a fairly resent thing as far as I heard, from maybe the 70s. From what I heard, it was because of a guy called Chilla Seeney. He is pretty famous as a bronc rider and camp drafter here in Australia and went off the US to go on the rodeo circuit there. While he was there he learned about training horses with a hackamore. He also imported a colt who was a grandson (I think) of Jessie James, called Mr Jessie James JR (the grandfather of my old horses). Anyway, he brought the horse and the hackamore into a bunch of camp drafts and kicked everyone’s as#. The locals first ridiculed the hackamore, then threw a tantrum when his hackamore horse flogged their horses so they all petitioned for a rule change in camp drafting which stipulated that the horse has to be ridden in a bit.That’s what I heard at least.

Concerning the camp drafting and the use of snaffle bits in the rules it’s only a fairly resent thing as far as I heard, from maybe the 70s. From what I heard, it was because of a guy called Chilla Seeney. He is pretty famous as a bronc rider and camp drafter here in Australia and went off the US to go on the rodeo circuit there. While he was there he learned about training horses with a hackamore. He also imported a colt who was a grandson (I think) of Jessie James, called Mr Jessie James JR (the grandfather of my old horses). Anyway, he brought the horse and the hackamore into a bunch of camp drafts and kicked everyone’s as#. The locals first ridiculed the hackamore, then threw a tantrum when his hackamore horse flogged their horses so they all petitioned for a rule change in camp drafting which stipulated that the horse has to be ridden in a bit.That’s what I heard at least.

The campdrafting thing is very interesting. And the drama behind the rules is even more interesting! I always wonder about the rules around bits in open classes.Why not just let people compete in whatever they want, provided it's not cruel and is being used properly? I can see having snaffle classes for young horses.

But I'm really not one for a million rules.

Thanks Wanstrom, I always like to hear what people look for. I have a QH/Percheron gelding - I think I've had him for about 16 years now - and he's sure sturdy and still sound. Still can be pretty lively, too! I don't see the draft crosses around here much anymore since the PMU barns closed down.

The campdrafting thing is very interesting. And the drama behind the rules is even more interesting! I always wonder about the rules around bits in open classes.Why not just let people compete in whatever they want, provided it's not cruel and is being used properly? I can see having snaffle classes for young horses.

But I'm really not one for a million rules.

Thanks Wanstrom, I always like to hear what people look for. I have a QH/Percheron gelding - I think I've had him for about 16 years now - and he's sure sturdy and still sound. Still can be pretty lively, too! I don't see the draft crosses around here much anymore since the PMU barns closed down.

I really like a draft cross. That way you can get some bone back in stock horses. Sadly people are breeding the feet right out of the modern QH..

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